Good evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for tonight's FA Cup quarter-final between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge. Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have already booked their place in the star-studded semi-finals of this competition, and now it is time for the standout tie of the round as the Premier League leaders take on the current FA Cup holders. There are plenty of sub-plots and interesting storylines to look out for, so let's waste no time in getting our bumper 90-minute build-up underway with a look at Chelsea...

There is little doubting that Chelsea have been the most impressive team in England so far this season, particularly since their switch to a 3-4-3 formation following successive losses to Liverpool and Arsenal back in September. The Blues currently sit a healthy 10 points clear of Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City in the Premier League table with only 11 games remaining, and the manner in which they have continued to get on with business makes it incredibly difficult to see them suffering a dip in form which would allow the chasing pack to close the gap. The league title is very much theirs to lose now, and it has been that way for some time.

Chelsea's relentless form also makes them favourites for this competition as Conte aims to emulate his compatriot Carlo Ancelotti and win the Premier League and FA Cup double in his first season at the club. The Italian never did win the Coppa Italia during his trophy-laden spell as Juventus boss, but he did reach the quarter-finals in each of his three seasons in Turin. Conte finished as runners-up in 2011-12, reached the semi-finals a year later and was then eliminated in the quarters in his final season at the club. With no European football to worry about this season, though, both Conte and Chelsea can afford to give the FA Cup and the Premier League their full attention.

Chelsea suffered something of a surprise exit from the EFL Cup at the hands of West Ham United earlier this season, but that was a rare slip-up from what has otherwise been a ruthlessly efficient spell of form for the Londoners. They have won 21 of their 25 matches in all competitions since losing to Arsenal, losing just twice in that time and just once in their last 21 outings - away to Tottenham Hotspur at beginning to January. Since that defeat Chelsea are unbeaten in 10 coming into tonight's match, with eight victories and two draws in that time.

There are very few signs of encouragement for teams gearing up to face Chelsea, but United boss Jose Mourinho may take a slither of hope from the fact that the Blues are not quite as sturdy defensively at the moment as they were a little earlier in the campaign. Conte's side have 'only' kept four clean sheets in their last 12 outings, compared to a run of 10 clean sheets in 13 before that. In truth, though, to highlight that as a weakness is clutching at straws a little as Chelsea still have the joint-best defensive record in the Premier League this season and have kept a league-high 14 clean sheets.

Conte made no secret of his unhappiness about seeing his side throw away a clean sheet in the closing stages of their victory over West Ham United last Monday, though, with Manuel Lanzini's stoppage-time strike proving to be a blot on an otherwise very professional performance. Chelsea were not at their best, but goals from Hazard and Costa gave them yet another three-point haul in exactly the type of performance that makes it so hard to see anyone catching them this season. Chelsea just seem to be able to get the wins with minimal fuss even when they are below par themselves, which is not something that can be said of any of their fellow top-six rivals this season.

Chelsea have been particularly impressive at home this season and come into this game off the back of a stunning run of 12 consecutive victories here at Stamford Bridge. The Blues have kept seven clean sheets during that 12-game run, conceding just six goals while firing in 38 at the other end. Indeed, throughout the entire campaign Chelsea have only failed to win one of their 16 home games this season, with their September defeat to Liverpool the only blotch on their copybook. Mourinho is no stranger to seeing Stamford Bridge as a fortress, but whether he is capable of masterminding an away team to victory here remains to be seen.

In the FA Cup, Chelsea have won nine of their last 10 home matches, although the exception was a very notable defeat as they fell to a 4-2 loss at the hands of Bradford City in 2015 - one of the biggest FA Cup shocks of recent years. Since that defeat to the Bantams Chelsea have won four home FA Cup games in a row, scoring 15 goals in the process including five, four and four in their last three. Another victory tonight would see them string together five consecutive FA Cup wins at Stamford Bridge for the first time since a run between 2009 and 2011.

This will be Chelsea's biggest test of their FA Cup campaign so far this season, but they have cruised through the previous rounds. Chelsea took on Peterborough United in the third round and eased to a 4-1 win at Stamford Bridge, before going one better against Brentford in the next round with a 4-0 triumph - again in front of their own fans. Wolverhampton Wanderers provided more Championship opposition in the last round, but they were beaten 2-0 to seal Chelsea's progress into the quarter-finals for the second year in a row.

Chelsea were knocked out by Everton at this stage last season, but they have now reached the quarter-finals of this competition 12 times since the turn of the century - more than any other side in that period. The Blues have not lifted the trophy since 2011-12, but their record in the 21st century stands up against anyone. Indeed, six of their seven titles in this competition have come since 2000. However, they have not eliminated the holders of the trophy since beating Liverpool in the third round way back in 1966.

TEAM NEWS!

CHELSEA STARTING XI: To follow.

MAN UTD STARTING XI: De Gea; Jones, Smalling, Rojo; Valencia, Herrera, Pogba, Darmian; Young, Rashford, Mkhitaryan
Subs: Romero, Bailly, Blind, Carrick, Fellaini, Lingard, Mata

We'll bring you the Chelsea team news when it comes, but for now let's start with a look at that United XI, and the headline news is that Marcus Rashford leads the line. United were thought to be facing something of a striker crisis ahead of this game, with Ibrahimovic suspended and both Rooney and Martial injured. Rashford was thought to be too ill to feature, but he has recovered enough to start this evening after all - a big boost for Mourinho.

It looks as though United will try to match Chelsea with a 3-4-3 formation having experimented with that system during the Europa League draw with Rostov on Thursday, and Mourinho has kept faith with Jones, Smalling and Rojo as his three central defenders for this one. Valencia and Darmian are expected to act as the wing-backs, replacing Fellaini and Blind in the side that started against Rostov.

In all, United have made four changes from the team that started in Russia, with David de Gea and Rashford also coming into the side in place of Romero and Ibrahimovic. It is perhaps not as many as some would have expected considering United'd long journey to Rostov on Thursday and the fact that they are back in action again in just three days' time for the return leg, but when travelling to Stamford Bridge you cannot really afford to rest many players so it is not a huge surprise to see the likes of Pogba and Mkhitaryan start.

CHELSEA STARTING XI: Courtois; Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Cahill; Moses, Kante, Matic, Alonso; Willian, Diego Costa, Hazard
Subs: Begovic, Terry, Zouma, Chalobah, Fabregas, Pedro, Batshuayi

It is no real surprise that Chelsea have gone with a strong side considering they have a five-day rest until their next game and have also not been in action since last Monday's win over West Ham United. The FA Cup is a very realistic goal for them this season so, while Conte made nine changes in round three and four, and a further seven in the last round, he makes just two this time around as Nemanja Matic and Willian return to the side.

That means starts for both Hazard and Costa, who were on target in the win over West Ham last week, while Pedro, who has scored in every round of the competition this season, is the attacker to drop to the bench. His compatriot Fabregas is also amongst the subs having worked his way into Conte's starting XI in recent weeks, but Moses, Kante and Alonso all start as usual. It is a side that would not be a surprise to see in a Premier League game.

There were questions over whether captain John Terry would start having featured in all of his side's FA Cup games so far this season, but Conte has chosen to stick with the winning formula in defence and Terry once again has to settle for a place on the bench tonight. Azpilicueta, Luiz and Cahill retain their places in the three-man defence, while Thibaut Courtois is in goal having sat out in previous rounds.

Strong sides for both teams, then, but it is Chelsea who will surely come into the game fresher. United were in Europa League action in Russia in Thursday and may have one eye on the return leg this week given that it is looking like a realistic route for them to qualify for the Champions League next season. Mourinho's side seem to be doing everything they can to keep themselves out of the top four in the Premier League and, with six points now the gap to the final Champions League spot, winning the Europa League may be their best hope of returning to Europe's top tier club competition next season.

The top-four race in the Premier League is by no means over yet, and United boast two games in hand over Liverpool which could eliminate that six-point gap, but the league has already been a source of much frustration for the Red Devils this term. They have only been beaten three times - the joint lowest tally in the league - but they have dropped far too many points via draws, sharing the spoils on no fewer than 10 occasions already. That has been a huge factor in them not having lost in the league for 17 matches, since their last visit to Stamford Bridge incidentally, but still only sitting sixth in the table.

A draw tonight would see us go into extra time, with quarter-final replays now a thing of the past in the FA Cup, and the fact that United have been so hard to beat this season certainly plays into their hands more in cup competitions. The Red Devils have only been beaten once in their last 28 matches across all competitions, and that defeat was ultimately a meaningless one too as they were beaten by Hull in the EFL Cup semi-final but still progressed into the final. United last meaningful defeat came back at the start of November when they lost to Fenerbahce in the Europa League.

Like Chelsea, United are unbeaten in 10 games since that Hull loss, but they too have found clean sheets a little harder to come by in recent matches. United have kept just one in their last five outings following a run of five on the bounce before that, although they do still boast a decent defensive record this season, with only Chelsea and Tottenham having conceded fewer. Interestingly, United have also kept a league-high seven clean sheets away from home this season, which could prove to be important tonight.

United's only defeat in their last 12 outings came in that EFL Cup second leg against Hull City, with eight wins and three draws in the time since back-to-back losses at the hands of Chelsea and Fenerbahce. Mourinho's side have actually been better away from home than they have in front of their own fans in the Premier League this season, average more points per game on the road than they have at Old Trafford. Indeed, only Manchester City and Chelsea can boast a better away record in the top flight, although admittedly their last visit to Stamford Bridge does not reflect that.

United's last away defeat in this competition also came at Stamford Bridge, and incidentally it was at this stage of the FA Cup too, with Chelsea running out 1-0 winners in a quarter-final replay in 2013. Since then United are unbeaten in seven FA Cup away games, winning six of those and drawing one, while they have also picked up a couple of wins at Wembley in that time too. Home and away, United are unbeaten in their last 10 FA Cup outings since being eliminated at this stage of the 2014-15 tournament.

United's defence of their crown has been relatively straightforward so far but, like Chelsea, this is the first Premier League team that they have come up against in the competition this season. United kicked things off with a couple of convincing 4-0 victories over Reading and Wigan Athletic before drawing Blackburn Rovers in the fifth round. Things were a little more difficult in that match, but United eventually came through with a 2-1 win to book their place in the quarters for the third consecutive season.

United have progressed from 10 of their last 13 FA Cup quarter-finals, including last season when they also travelled to London to beat West Ham - although that was via a replay having drawn the initial fixture 1-1 at Old Trafford. Their success in this competition last season was their first since 2003-04 - a surprisingly long drought for a club of United's calibre, particularly considering they have lifted the trophy on 12 occasions, a tally only Arsenal can match.

This match obviously sees Jose Mourinho return to his former club, and he hasn't been in the quarter-final of the FA Cup since his time at Chelsea boss a decade ago, when he went on to beat Manchester United in the final. Indeed, Mourinho has never lost an FA Cup quarter-final and arrives at Stamford Bridge having won four of his six games against teams he has previously managed in the past. The most recent of those was the 4-0 defeat in the Premier League meeting here, though, which remains Mourinho's heaviest defeat in English football and his worst anywhere since his Real Madrid side were thrashed 5-0 by Barcelona in 2010.

PREDICTION: Right, we're closing in on kickoff at Stamford Bridge, which means that it is time for a prediction! United have proved themselves to be very tough to beat this season, but Chelsea always seem to get the job done and look to be on another level to any other side at the moment. With home advantage in their favour too I can't really see past a Chelsea victory today. I'm going for 2-0 to the Blues!

Manchester United have had the edge in previous FA Cup ties between these two sides, winning eight of their previous 11 clashes in this competition including seven of the last nine. All of those seven wins came in succession, though, and it is Chelsea who have come out on top in the two ties since the turn of the century - winning the 2007 final 1-0 and most recently triumphing by the same scoreline in the 2013 quarter-final, when Demba Ba got the only goal of the game.

These two sides have met three times at this stage of the FA Cup before, including that 2013 tie, with Chelsea progressing twice from those. In league and cup meetings Chelsea are now unbeaten in 11 games against United, winning six and drawing five of those since United's 3-2 victory in October 2012. Indeed, United have only scored three times in the last nine fixtures between these two, so it is fair to say that Chelsea hold something of a hoodoo over the Red Devils at the moment.

United's record here at Stamford Bridge is not too encouraging for them either - they have won just two of their last 19 visits in league and cup, drawing six times and losing 11 of those games. I have already mentioned their most recent visit on a few occasions tonight, and no doubt United will be out for a bit of revenge here having been thumped 4-0 in the league meeting back in October. Pedro, Cahill, Hazard and Kante got the goals on that occasion.

The players are coming out under the floodlights at Stamford Bridge and we're just about ready to go here! Who will join Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur in the semi-finals of the FA Cup?

KICKOFF: Here we go then! Diego Costa gets us underway for this FA Cup quarter-final!

CHANCE! United have made a good quick start to this match and they have a chance in the opening minutes here. A corner finds Rojo in a bit of space, but he can't keep his header under control and steers it well off target.

There is a great atmosphere inside Stamford Bridge tonight, with these two big clubs playing under the floodlights adding a special feel to the game.

United have seen a decent amount of the ball in the opening exchanges here, and Mourinho will be relatively pleased with how his side have settled into this one.

We were expecting Manchester United to try to match Chelsea's 3-4-3 formation, but it looks more like Jones is playing as the deeper-lying midfielder in a diamond formation instead.

Chelsea haven't really got into their rhythm yet, with the likes of Hazard and Costa barely involved at all so far. Only that early Rojo header to speak of in terms of chances so far.

SHOT! Again it is United who threaten here as Rashford almost breaks in behind the defence with his pace. Azpilicueta makes a crucial challenge as the last man, but the ball then drops to Mkhitaryan who drills a left-footed strike a couple of yards wide.

Darmian gets an early talking-to from the referee for a foul on Willian, but escapes a booking from referee Michael Oliver. It is a free kick that looks to be just out of shooting range, and sure enough it is played short and comes to nothing.

CLOSE! Brilliant from Hazard as he suddenly bursts into life. He turns Smalling really well just inside the United half before driving at the defence and beating another man on his way into the box. He drills a low strike towards the bottom corner, but it takes a deflection on its way behind.

SAVE! Sensational from De Gea to keep the scores level! United are unable to deal with the resulting corner and the ball eventually drops to Cahill, who turns it goalwards from close range. De Gea gets down so sharply to make a brilliant save, though.

Almost a chance for Costa from another corner as Chelsea begin to apply some pressure for the first time. The striker attacks the ball well, but just can't get his head to the cross and in the end sees it bounce off him and over the bar for a goal kick.

YELLOW CARD! Herrera is the first name in the book this evening for a block on Hazard, who was left writhing on the floor. Michael Oliver played advantage, but it came to nothing and the referee returned to book the midfielder afterwards.

Both of those saves from De Gea were special, but the second was the better of the two. Feast your eyes on it below...

He's in one of those moods...@D_DeGea keeps the scores level with two magnificent saves! 👐 #EmiratesFACup https://t.co/NpQkoIkrdk — BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) March 13, 2017

Matic lets fly from range, but drills a powerful effort well off target. It has been much better from Chelsea since Hazard exploded into life, though.

United are by no means parking the bus here, which a few expected them to do considering Chelsea's record at home this season. The visitors have been positive for the most part so far.

Lovely control from Rashford down the right channel to bring the ball under his spell immediately. He looks up and sees Pogba charging to join him in the area, but his attempted cross is too close for the keeper.

The Chelsea fans direct some choice words at Jose Mourinho, who reacts by signalling the three league titles he won at the club. Not much love lost between manager and fans despite all of their history together.

SHOT! Half a chance for Chelsea as Hazard is quickest to react to a loose ball and breaks into the box. The Belgian tries to beat De Gea with power at the near post, but slices his effort high and wide of the near post.

Both sides are looking very well-drilled and disciplined in this one, and they are going to have to work mighty hard to find a way through the opposition tonight.

Hazard once again ends up on the floor following a challenge on Jones, and that earns the Manchester United man a final warning from Michael Oliver.

Wow! This game was just trundling along without much happening, but suddenly it has all changed! Herrera is shown a second yellow card for a trip on Hazard, and the Manchester United players swarm around Michael Oliver to dispute the decision. It is harsh when taken in isolation, but Oliver was clearly growing frustrated with the repeated fouls from United players having only seconds before given Jones his final warning. Mourinho smirks to himself on the touchline.

MAN UTD SUB: Mourinho reacts to that decision by replacing Mkhitaryan with Marouane Fellaini. Is that a sign that United's priorities in this match have now changed?

Herrera clearly felt hard done by regarding that yellow card, and in fairness the Spaniard had only really made a couple of fouls himself, but it was more a totting-up offence for the whole team I think. Whether the decision was right or wrong, it was silly of Herrera to give the referee a decision to make at all.

SHOT! It's all kicking off at Stamford Bridge now! A late challenge on Alonso from Valencia leads to a confrontation between Conte and Mourinho on the touchline while Chelsea continue their attack. It eventually comes to Moses, who blasts over from a tight angle before Michael Oliver goes over to the dugout to calm things down again.

This one is just bubbling under the surface nicely. United have committed a lot of fouls on Chelsea players and have done a good job of breaking the game up, but they have a lot of work to do with 10 men now.

Chelsea have dominated possession and territory since that sending-off, as you might expect, and I suspect that United will spend most of the rest of tonight with plenty of men behind the ball. Extra time and penalties may be their best bet of reaching the semi-finals now.

There will be two minutes of added time at the end of this first half.

Michael Oliver brings an end to the first half at Stamford Bridge with everything just beginning to get a bit lively towards the end of that opening 45 minutes. We haven't seen any goals so far at Stamford Bridge, but there has been plenty of drama and action and we're all set for a very intriguing second half as these two bid to book their place in the semi-finals.

The big moment of the match so far came with 10 minutes remaining of the first half when United were reduced to 10 men in controversial fashion. Herrera was the man to be given his marching orders, picking up his second yellow card for a challenge on Hazard having earlier got his name in the book for a block on the Belgian. The foul was perhaps not worthy of a yellow in isolation, but the referee had given Phil Jones a final warning just seconds earlier and it was a stupid foul to make from the Spaniard.

Chelsea have had the better chances in the game so far, with De Gea making two brilliant saves in quick succession. The first came to deny Hazard after the Belgian had suddenly burst into life before seeing his deflected shot tipped just wide. Cahill then turned the resulting corner towards goal from close range, but De Gea reacted sensationally to keep it out.

Hazard and Moses have both fired attempts off target too, while United's sights of goals have been a little more limited. The visitors could have broken the deadlock inside the opening couple of minutes when Rojo lost his marker from a corner only to nod the ball off target. Mkhitaryan has also dragged one wide from outside the area, but that is the extent of United's chances in this one.

KICKOFF: Manchester United get us back underway for this second half. Can they beat the Blues with a man disadvantage?

It will be interesting to see how both managers approach this second half. Mourinho may feel that extra time and penalties are his best chance of progressing now, whereas Conte must already be thinking about making an attacking change - perhaps bringing Fabregas on for Matic.

It has been all Chelsea in terms of possession since the restart, and I suspect that will be the story for most of this second half. United may need to rely on the pace of Rashford on the break from now on.

Is there anything this man can't do? Kante finds the breakthrough for Chelsea with his second goal for the club, both of which have come against Manchester United. Kante collects the ball just outside the area before knocking it out of his feet and driving a low strike into the bottom corner. It needed something special to beat De Gea tonight, and that was certainly unexpected.

That is exactly what this game needed. United were beginning to park the bus a little and that goal will now force them to come out and show a bit more attacking intent in this second half.

Well, the goal has not quite changed the course of this match just yet. Chelsea are still camped in the United half and the visitors are finding it difficult to get any sort of foothold in the match at the moment.

United need to simply stay in this match for now, and they perhaps push for a late equaliser in the final 20 minutes or so. No doubt we'll see Fellaini thrown up front if the deficit is still only one in these closing stages.

CHANCE! Huge chance for United to get that equalising goal! It is poor from Luiz as he fails to cut out a ball on the halfway line, which allows Rashford to run at Cahill. The youngster twists and turns past the defender on his way into the box, but then is thwarted by a big save from Courtois. That should have been 1-1!

CHANCES! The resulting corner comes to nothing as far as United are concerned, but Chelsea are immediately on the break with Kante leading the charge. He knocks the ball into the path of Alonso, who stands a cross up to the far post, but Willian's cutback hits a defender. From the corner that follows Costa gets free and really should score with a header, but he gets it all wrong and doesn't even test De Gea.

CLOSE! Chelsea are close to a second again here as Kante dummies his way past Fellaini before teeing up Willian, who curls a good effort narrowly over.

Costa wants a penalty here as he dribbles his way into the box, stealing the ball off Pogba right on the edge. Rojo goes to ground, which at first looks like a stupid decision, but he then delays sticking out his leg until he can get to the ball. It was a good tackle in the end, but he got away with it a little.

Rojo and Costa are having a running battle, with a couple of clashes between the pair in the last few minutes. Rojo runs into an offside Costa here to spark a big reaction from the striker, but it is a dive from the Chelsea man and the referee doesn't buy it.

Chelsea are still pushing for that second goal which will give them a bit of breathing space in the closing stages here. That Rashford chance acted as a warning shot and the hosts have been very much on top ever since.

Just 20 minutes remaining in this one and, as things stand, United are still just about in this game. They need to find a way to get themselves on the ball more, though, as Chelsea look in control in almost every aspect at the moment.

This is all energy-sapping stuff for United, who have 10 men behind the ball as they look to frustrate Chelsea. Mourinho has just told Rashford to stay up front and not track back, though, so it's clear they will look for him on the break.

SAVE! Kante slides the ball in to Willian, who turns well to give himself a sight of goal and drills a powerful strike towards the near post which De Gea pushes behind.

CHANCE! So nearly a chance for Chelsea as Willian plays a low ball right across the face of goal after skipping past his man. Costa is there in good time, but gets his timing wrong and completely misses the ball with the goal gaping! That should have been 2-0!

Valencia takes a bit of a risk here, jumping into a challenge on Kante with both feet off the ground. The right-back's saving grace is that it wasn't a forceful challenge, though, and Oliver lets it go without producing a card.

YELLOW CARD! Young will not get away without a card here, though, becoming the latest player in the book for a scything challenge from behind on Moses.

CHELSEA SUB: Chelsea make their first change of the night as Cesc Fabregas replaces Willian.

MAN UTD SUB: The visitors also make a change as Jesse Lingard comes on in place of Young.

SHOT! United need to make the most of any shooting opportunities they have now, but Pogba doesn't do that here, dragging a left-footed strike well wide from 25 yards out.

United try to press Chelsea high up the pitch to force a mistake, but the hosts are having none of it and play their way upfield well. Valencia is needed to put the ball behind from a dangerous low cross.

YELLOW CARD! Costa has been bubbling under for a while now, but he finally goes into the book for a late challenge on Jones.

Meanwhile, Victor Moses is down and needs treatment here. Chelsea won't want to lose him for any prolonged period of time.

CHELSEA SUB: Moses will not be able to continue, hobbling off to be replaced by Kurt Zouma.

There will be a minimum of four minutes added time at the end of this match.

CHANCE! Big chance for Chelsea to put this one to bed on the break! Costa leads the charge before teeing the ball up for Fabregas, who sees his drive turned away by De Gea. The ball bounces back to Hazard, who in turn drops it back to Fabregas, but Rojo is there to make a fine challenge.

CHELSEA SUB: A third and final change from Chelsea as Costa is replaced by Michy Batshuayi.

Chelsea comfortably hold out for the 1-0 win, then, booking their place in the semi-finals of the FA Cup in the process. Manchester United were forced to play the majority of the match with 10 men after Ander Herrera's red card in the 35th minute, and N'Golo Kante's second-half strike proved to be enough to send Chelsea to Wembley.

Right, that is all we have time for this evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for tonight's match as Chelsea overcome 10-man Manchester United to book their place in the semi-finals of the FA Cup. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction from both camps. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!